ARTHUR DON CARPENTER
1940-2021
Arthur Don Carpenter, age 81, went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on May 2, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on February 2, 1940, in Talladega, Alabama to parents, Arthur and Beula Carpenter.
Don graduated from Talladega High School where he was president of his senior class. He then attended Auburn University where he earned a BS and MS degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at Auburn, Don married the love of his life, Betty Martin. Their love continued over six decades as they celebrated sixty years of married life together. They had two daughters, Vicki and Kelli.
With a love for his country, Don served in the U.S. Army as the Company Commander of C Company, 577th Engineering Construction Batallion in Ft Benning, GA; the flag continued to be a source of patriotic pride through his lifetime.
Don’s professional career began in the oilfield with Humble Oil and Refining Company, now ExxonMobil, in New Orleans in 1965. He enjoyed many successful positions with Exxon including logistics manager for the Valdez oil spill cleanup in Alaska. He completed his career by organizing and managing the ExxonMobil Worldwide Drilling Organization in Houston, Texas. A common comment at his retirement party and even years after his retirement was, “Don was the best boss I ever had.”
While Don worked hard and successfully at ExxonMobil, he also had a true love for Jesus and his church. Don served as a Bible study teacher and deacon in various Baptist churches that he and the family joined following every work relocation. Even after retiring professionally, his energy in teaching God’s Word never wavered. For the last seventeen years, Don and Betty co-taught the Walking Together Bible study class at Second Baptist Church, North Campus, a class they loved and cherished so much. Don’s gift of encouragement was clearly evident to all. The love for God’s Word modeled by both Don and Betty has inspired their daughters and grandchildren to love teaching as well.
With all the many things Don worked hard at, he always prioritized his special joy – his family. He loved Betty with all his heart and served her all his days. He always had time for his daughters, and they fondly remember the many “Toodle Pops and Popsy Toodle” stories he told over their lifetime as well as all of the games, jokes and laughter. Don’s five grandchildren stated he was the “best Papa ever” for each of them! From their bike rides to the “secret place” to constant stories and jokes, his grandchildren each knew how much he loved them. He also had five great-grandchildren, and they too expressed such joy at playing with Papa during special holidays.
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Betty; their eldest daughter and husband, Vicki and Terry Lassiter and their youngest daughter and husband, Kelli and Mike Lawrence; their grandson and his wife, Josh and Meredith Lassiter, and their children, Kennedy, Ellie and Carpenter; their grandson and his wife, Matt and Chelsea Lassiter, and their children, Addison and Lincoln; their grandson and his wife, Michael and Kaylee Lawrence; their grandson David Lawrence and their granddaughter, Elizabeth Lawrence. He is also survived by his sister, Jackie Freeman and his brother and his wife, Wayne and Linda Carpenter, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Don Carpenter has left a lasting legacy of service, love for country, love for Jesus and his church, and unconditional love for his family; his life will forever be celebrated by those who knew him!
A private burial service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery on Thursday, May 6, 2021. The following day, Friday, May 7, 2021, there will be a Celebration of Life Service at Second Baptist Church, North Campus, at 11:00 am. The family will be available to receive friends one hour before the service begins.